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Determinants of digital integration and indigenous language adoption in SMME management: A case of KwaZulu-Natal Province

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  • Charles Tony Ngwenya

    (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

Abstract

This study examines the integration of digitalization, mobile applications, and vernacular languages in Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) management within KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. A quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted using systematic probability sampling of 147 SMMEs across five sectors (agriculture, hospitality, construction, healthcare, and transportation) in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Findings reveal significant gaps between policy support and the actual implementation of digital-vernacular language integration, with 45% of respondents indicating inadequate policy support and 58.9% expressing dissatisfaction with the current progress of digitalization. Results suggest the need for targeted policy interventions to support the digital transformation of SMMEs that incorporate indigenous language capabilities. The study contributes to understanding the intersection of digital transformation and linguistic diversity in emerging economy entrepreneurship management, and the dynamic capabilities theory was undertaken as the benchmark to support the literature. The findings revealed a disconnect between the provision of support from policymakers and authorities regarding the program of action and deliverables that could help SMMEs integrate their entrepreneurial management with the demands of digitalisation, including resources and capabilities. The findings further exposed the gap between the expectations of SMMEs and the current level of digital and vernacular language integration in terms of systematic support and deliverables. Additionally, the findings characterized the slow pace of transformation supported by policymakers in digitalization, mobile applications, and the adoption of vernacular languages, which is already at an advanced stage in similar emerging economies in the global South. Key Words:Entrepreneurship Management, Digitalization, Mobile Applications, Indigenous Languages

Suggested Citation

  • Charles Tony Ngwenya, 2025. "Determinants of digital integration and indigenous language adoption in SMME management: A case of KwaZulu-Natal Province," International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), Center for the Strategic Studies in Business and Finance, vol. 14(10), pages 85-95, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:rbs:ijbrss:v:14:y:2025:i:10:p:85-95
    DOI: 10.20525/ijrbs.v14i10.4674
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Victoria Dauletova & Adil S. Al-Busaidi & Ibtisam Al-Wahaibi & Salim O. Al-Khaldi, 2024. "Strengthening the concordance between entrepreneurship orientation with indigenous cultural values," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(1), pages 2333060-233, December.
    2. Radzivon Marozau & Hanna Aginskaja & Maribel Guerrero, 2024. "ICT-related dynamic capabilities and SMEs’ performance: An analysis during the economic stagnation in Belarus," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 49(5), pages 1696-1718, October.
    3. Antony, Sinoj & Tramboo, Ishfaq Ahmad, 2023. "Digital metamorphosis: Unraveling the evolution of global language in the technological culture," International Journal of English Language and Literature Studies, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 12(4), pages 358-373.
    4. Salma S. Abed, 2021. "Women Entrepreneurs’ Adoption of Mobile Applications for Business Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-15, October.
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